An example of a rule

The Shaykh : That is because "the affirmative takes precedence over the negative," and "one who knows is an authority over one who does not know." The scholars have established this rule with many texts from the Shari'ah. Among them is the fact that when Allah (Mighty and Majestic) granted victory to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) over the polytheists, and he entered Mecca as a victor, he entered the interior of the Ka'bah and prayed two rak'ahs in it. Then he exited. Some of the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) differed regarding whether the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed in the interior of the Ka'bah or not. Halaal affirmed this, and 'Afwah affirmed it as well. Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) affirmed it, and 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar narrated it from him, describing the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the Ka'bah between two pillars, with a distance of about two or three arm's lengths between him (peace and blessings be upon him) and the wall. 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) denied that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed this prayer in the interior of the Ka'bah. So what was the position of the scholars regarding these two noble Companions, the one who affirmed his (peace and blessings be upon him) prayer in the interior of the Ka'bah and the one who denied it? They said: "One who knows is an authority over one who does not know." Upon this principle, all the Islamic legislations are established. So if one narrates a hadith and is trustworthy, his narration is an authority. And if one does not know that hadith, his lack of knowledge is not an authority.